I have a suggestion for a small change in the physical design of HP's calculators. Many of the new models come with a pouch to hold the calc. It's open at one end. The 48gii, 30b and 35s have these.

On my 30b and 35s, the pouch is fairly tight and it's hard to grip the calculator to pull it out. I expect that the pouches will loosen with time, but meanwhile, I usually have to work a finger into the opening at the bottom of the pouch to push the calculator out a little before I can extract it.

An easy change to fix this would be to put something on the sides of the calculator near the display that would prevent your fingers from slipping when you grab it in the case. For example, a set of small vertical ridges, or a slight finger-sized indentation would probably do the trick quite nicely.

Dave

The 35s used to have a zipper pouch. It was really good (maybe one of the best things about the calculator!) If the decision for how these things go is based on quality, they probably should just go back to that. But maybe it raised the price or something.

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The 35s used to have a zipper pouch. It was really good (maybe one of the best things about the calculator!) If the decision for how these things go is based on quality, they probably should just go back to that. But maybe it raised the price or something.

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If I wasn't going to put a calculator in it, the zippered
pouch seems like a nice amenity. Unfortunately extracting
the 35s from it is a little too clunky as evidenced by
my tendency to reach for another calc when I need a quick
answer. Even more so if you succumb to strapping the 35s
under the provided elastic bands. Not quite sure how
those straps found their way on the drawing board -- unless
the first demo to management of that clumsy case resulted in
the contents sustaining a concussion with the floor.

With a thoughtfully designed slipcase the calc is already
situated ready for use in the intended hand when it clears
the case.

I use one strap, the one that goes under the display. That holds it in place without obstructing usage. You could even keep the pouch unzipped then for quick usage, and the strap will still keep the calculator secure.

I think the reason for having two straps isn't to use both simultaneously, but to use one or the other, maybe depending on whether you're right or left handed.

I have had calculators fall out of slip cases. I don't like them.

BTW; That case is the best I have found for my 41 :)

That is weird that you are having such a hard time removing your calc. I think the case has a snug fit, but the calculator has been easily removable for me. It looks like it was clearly designed to be removed by the top sides of the calculator while holding the bottom sides of the case. Maybe I lucked out in getting a slightly looser fitting case.

This much I can say: it sure is a heck of a lot better than the crappy case on my TI BA II Plus Professional.

Regards,

Mark

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I use one strap, the one that goes under the display.

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Unfortunately, a second sticker showing how to repair the zipper is missing. From what I've read in this forum and my own experience, they all will fail after some usage. On my sample, both zippers were 'unhooked' at about the same time after approx. 50, erm, zips. Still try figuring out how to replace them.

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This much I can say: it sure is a heck of a lot better than the crappy case on my TI BA II Plus Professional.

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That is weird that you are having such a hard time removing your calc. I think the case has a snug fit, but the calculator has been easily removable for me.

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I thought I might just have a tight case, but I have the same problem with my 30b. Once is an anomoly, twice is a trend.... :)

The 33s is a sensible calculator spoiled by someone who felt it should be "designed" so it has slanty keys and a rubber side grip.
That leads to the klunkiest case HP ever allowed. Why can't they just allow perfection to continue. I liked my slip cases and at times had to stretch them by forcing the calculator in upside down ( the top iss bigger). I dread losing my 32SII from whatever cause.
It's the last of a dying breed. Sam

I should have mentioned that I have a 30b.

Mark

Personally, I thought the HP35s zipper-case was crap. Too bulky, too inconvenient, too ugly. I picked up a leather case from an HP33s and it worked great. Just what the HP35s needed.

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Personally, I thought the HP35s zipper-case was crap. Too bulky, too inconvenient, too ugly. I picked up a leather case from an HP33s and it worked great. Just what the HP35s needed.

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There is a seller haunting EEEbay with voyager cases which
paradoxically are far too big for a voyager's footprint.
They work out better for a 35s from a less-bulk perspective
compared to the original zipper case and are less clumsy to
extract their contents.

IMHO the 35s case isn't fundamentally a bad design if storage
protection is the primary goal. And to be fair it does need
to fit the "who-again-has-pockets-this-size?" 35s. Frankly if
a version existed ~2.5cm shorter and about 30% less height
I'd probably pick up a few for voyager preservation.

Edited: 7 Nov 2010, 1:28 a.m.

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I dread losing my 32SII from whatever cause.
It's the last of a dying breed. Sam

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IMHO the 35s case isn't fundamentally a bad design if storage
protection is the primary goal.

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Sure, I agree with you on this. For circumstances involving protection/storage, or even portage in a briefcase, fieldwork, etc., that airform-esque case would have many advantages (assuming that size isn't an issue).

In my instance, however, the calculator was deskbound 99% of the time, and I only needed something to keep it protected from dust and wayward pens and drinking water, yet still have it be quick on the draw. That big clunky case was suboptimal in many ways, and I ultimately came to hate it. (Even after I got the 33s leather case, I got rid of the 35s anyway, since it couldn't live up to my 15c. (I know, an unfair comparison.))

Airform makes cases of a similar nature in all sizes, so given a few searches you might find one suitable for a Voyager.

Edited: 9 Nov 2010, 1:21 p.m.